Merchandising device



Oct. 27, 1959 E. M. LEVY ET MERCHANDISING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1957 INVENTORS.

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Oct. 27, 1959 LEVY ETAL 2,910,187

MERCHANDISING DEVICE United States Patent cc I 2,910,187 rmRcriANmsiNG DEVICE Edward M. Levy, Evanston' and Dale R. LopatlraGlen- I view, 111., assignors to Reflector-Hardware Corporation, Chicago,Ill., a corporation of Illinois This invention relates to merchandising devices and more particularly to merchandising display equipment mountable upon counters in retail stores and the like where it is desired to furnish additional display volume greater than that provided by the counter top alone.

Many retail storm are now equipped with counters for the display and sale of merchandise. These counters afford a relatively small amount of display volume. Modern retailing practices have demonstrated that it is desirable to have greater display volume than that afforded by va simple counter top. Various display devices are customarily now sold by manufacturers of items sold on the counter and which will be furnished upon demand for use on a counter. Although the rovision of such display devices does increase the display volume, there is no cohesion or unity of display since each item in general utilizes its own display device. Furthermore, the added display volume possible using such independent devices is not very great and is only a small fraction of the possible display volume available above a counter.

Often the counters already owned by the retail store are of the movable type whereby to provide so-called islands. These movable counters may .be of varying heights and may, for example, have heights as low as six inches and as high as twenty-eight inches with ten inch and twenty inch heights also being common. For reasons of economy it is desirable to make use of such counters but the appearance madeby assembling counters of varying heights in proximity is not pleasing and not conducive to effective display. Better display of the goods to be sold is achieved if the display volume' has a uniform height throughout its area of extent. It further is desirable periodically to change the display arrangement whereby to avoid monotony. Preferably the changes in the display equipment must be such as can be made by relatively unskilled laborers and with a minimum of tools and equipment; a

Accordingly, it is an important object ofthe present invention to provide in merchandising devices improved display equipment andparticularly improved display equipment for use on top of counters. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide display equipment of the type set forth in which the overallheight of the merchandising device is constant throughout the display area whereby to increase effectiveness of display.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide display equipment in 2 whereby to be interchangeable and relatively inexpensive.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of' the invention to provide improved display equipment whichcan be assembled and changed when desired without the use of nuts, bolts, screws and the like; assembly and change can be done without screw drivers or wrenches by relatively unskilled labor utilizing a minim-um number of simple tools and in certaifi in stances no tools at all except a mallet.

'Still another object of the invention is to provide dis play equipment for use on counters which is rigid and well braced within itself whereby to eliminate the neces= sity for auxiliary bracing devices whereby to present a large effective display volume. 7

Yet another object of the invention is to provide display equipment for use on counters in which the displays of adjacent counters can be interconnected although the adjacent counters have different heights and still maintain a uniform overall height for the mechandising display and can also be changed to elevate one display to feature mechandise thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide in display equipment of the type set forth improved assembly structures and particularly improved structures for assembling the display equipment on counters, improved constructions for interconnecting different members of the same displays, and improved structure for interconnectingadjacent displays on adjacent counters.

' These and other objects and advantages will be better understood front the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawing'swherein like reference numerals have been utilized? to designate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a merchandising de-' vice including-therein display equipment made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the display equipment of the present inventiori being mounted on adjacent counters having different heights;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view on' a reduced scale of a relatively complicated merchandising display which can be made utilizing the displayequipment' of the present invention and further illustrating the maintenance of overall maximum height of displays although utilizing adjacent counters of different heights;

Figure 3" is a plan view of the mechandising 'dji'splay the lines 4 -4 thereof;

which uniform height of all displays can be obtained although the counters upon which the displays are provided are of different heights. I

Yet another object of the invention is to provide display equipment of the type set forth which is readily and universally adjustable whereby to give substantial flexibility of the displays that can be constructed using the display equipment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide dis- Figure 5 is a view in vertical section through the a connection of Figure 4 substantially as seen in thedirection of the arrows along the line 5-5 thereof;

Figure 6 isan enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section through a connector between adjacent pieces of displayequipment substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 66 of Figure 1; Figure 7 is an enlar ed rragmentaryview in vertical section illustrating the interconnection between the display eqiiipiiieiit and a counter" substantially as seen in the directionof the arrows along the" line 77 of Figure l;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view in horizontal section illustrating another connection between adjacent display devices substantially as seen in the direction of thearrow's along the line 8'- 8 of Figure 2; and Figure 9" is an enlarged fragmentary 'view in vertical section through yet another interconnection between adjacentdisplay devices substantially as seen in the direction of thearrows along the line 9-9 of FigurerSr- There is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings a mer- Patented Oct. 27, 1959 chandising display incorporating therein display equipment made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. The display of Figure 1 includes a counter 2i which is illustrated as a movable counter provided with legs 22. Positioned adjacent to the counter 20 is a second lower counter 24, counter 24 being shown in position against counter 20. Mounted upon counter 21) is display equipment generally designated by the numeral 26. Equipment 26 includes a pair of end display frames 28 and 30 which are connected by a longitudinal display frame 32. Supported upon the display equipment 26 are two display panels 34 and 36. End frames 28 and 34} together with the longitudinal dis play frame 32 form a rigid integrated display framework upon which various display devices can be mounted. The

panels 34 and 36 are only illustrative of display devices interconnects frame members 38 and 40 at points disposed substantially, intermediate the ends thereof. Any suitable method of joining the various frame members such as welding can be utilized. A preferred material of construction for end display frame 28 is metal whereby to provide the necessary structural strength.

End display frame 28 is mounted upon counter 20 in a manner such that there is substantially no tendency of end display frame 28 to be displaced along the surface of counter 29. More specifically, each of the vertical frame members 38 and 40 is provided at the lower end thereof with a pin 46 (see Figure 7 of the drawings), the axis of pin 46 being substantially parallel to the axis of the associated frame member and extending outwardly from the lower end thereof. The upper end of pin 46 is flattened as at 48 and suitably secured as by welding to the inner side of frame member wall 56, wall 50 being disposed inwardly toward the center of counter 20. Suitable apertures 52 are formed incounterlfl to receive pins 46 therein whereby to mount the display frame in the selected and desired position.

The longitudinal display frame 32 includes a pair of vertical frame members 54 and 56 which are interconnected by horizontal frame members 58 and 60. A third vertical frame member 62 is provided intermediate the ends of frame members 58 and 60 and interconnecting the frame members at such points. The various frame members 62 are all formed from hollow tubing having substantially a square cross section, see for example Figures 4 and 6 which show the cross section of frame members 54 and 56, respectively.

A stud and socket connection is provided to interconnect longitudinal display frame 32 and the end display frame 28. Referring to Figure 4 it will be seen that the transverse frame member 44 of display frame 28 is provided with a wedge shaped socket or receptacle generally designated by the numeral 64 which receives therein a stud 66 mounted on display frame 32 and particularly frame member 54 thereof. Referring also to Figure 5 it will be seen that socket 64 includes an attachment wall 68 having vertical edges that extend upwardly and outwardly from each other. Formed on the edges of wall 68 and extending perpendicular thereto are side walls 70 and 72 which diverge upwardly as viewed in Figure 5. Formed on side walls 70 and 72 are retainer walls 74 and 76, re-

spectively. Walls 70 through 76 together with main wall 68 form a wedge shaped panel of socket having the wider 4 dimension thereof disposed upwardly and the smaller dimension thereof disposed downwardly.

Stud 66 which is disposed in socket 64 is substantially cylindrical in shape. A first cylindrical attachment member 78 is provided which is suitably secured as by welding to the outwardly facing wall 86 of frame member 54. More specifically, a projection 81 extends through an aperture in wall and is welded thereto. Extending outwardly from attachment member 78 is a cylindrical neck 32'having a diameter substantially less than that of attachment member 78. Formed integral with the outer end of neck 82 is a larger cylindrical button or head 84 which is adapted to be received within socket 6 4. The surface 86 interconnecting the periphery of head 84 and neck 82 is frusto-conical in shape.

A firm lock is provided between socket 64 and stud 66 by means of a wedging action. More specifically the flanges 74 and 76 are firmly wedged between the frustoconical surface 86 and the adjacent face of attachment member 78. To insure such a wedging action, the neck 82 is formed so that the axial length thereof is substan-v tially less than the thickness of socket flanges 74 and 76. As a result the flanges 74 and 76 are firmly wedged between surface 86 and the adjacent face of member 78 by simply moving stud 66 downwardly within socket 64. This engagement between the socket 64 and stud 66 has an additional advantage of placing the cylindrical surface of head 84 and the outwardly disposed surface thereof out of contact withsocket 64. As a result there is no marring of these surfaces and these surfaces can be painted or otherwise decorated for a pleasing appearance. This is particularly important since these surfaces are readily available to view in those studs which are not engaged in a socket (see, for example, studs 66 at the left hand end of display frame 32 in Figure 1).

A socket 64 is mounted on the inwardly facing surface of each of the transverse frame members 42 and 44 substantially at the center thereof. As illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, six studs 66 are provided along the outwardly facing wall 80 of frame member 54. Studs 66 are equally spaced and are so spaced that the first and fourth studs 66 will engage in the sockets 64 on frame members 42 and 44. Similarly the second and fifth studs provide a pair which will cooperate with sockets 64 as will the third and sixth studs. Accordingly, there are three possible adjusted positions of display frame 32 with re spec-t tothe end display frame 28. Preferably when display frame 32 is in the lowermost position as illustrated in Figure l, the lower side of frame member 60 is spaced from the top of counter 20 a short distance such as for example an inch.

The other end of the longitudinal display frame 32 is supported by the end display frame 30. Display frame 30 is in turn mounted upon a counter 24 having a height substantially less than that of counter 20. Display frame 30 is identical with display frame 28 except for the lower horizontal frame member 45 which is positioned nearer frame member 42 and, accordingly, like reference numerals have been applied to the various parts thereof where applicable.

Means is provided to interconnect the longitudinal display frame 32 which is mounted on counter 20 with the end display frame 36 which is mounted on an adjacent counter 24. Ordinarily the longitudinal display frame 32 has a length less than the length of counter 29, the difference in the lengths being equal to twice the transverse dimension of a frame member such as frame member 40. Although display frame 36 is positioned immediately against the adjacent end of counter 29, there will be a space between display frame 3th and display frame 32 equal to the transverse dimension of frame member 40. The studs 66 provided on frame member 56 therefore will not reach or be in position to engage the "sockets 64 mounted on the transverse frame members 42 and 45 of display frame 30. To make this connection a. cbfinector generally designatedjby the numeral 90 has been provided. Connector 90 includes a. generally cylindrical portion 92 from one end of which extends a cylindrical neck 94 having a diameter substantially less than body 92. Formed integral with the outer endof neck 94 is a head- 96 cylindrical in shape and having a diameter substantially equal to body 92. A. frusto-conical surface 98 interconnects the outer periphery of head 96 and neck 94.. It will be seen that head 96 is substantially identical in construction with head- 84 described above and therefore isl suitable for insertion in one of the sockets 64. The other end of connector 90- has formed thereon a socket substantially like socket 64. More specifically, connector body 92 has provided thereon a. main Wall 100 having tapered edges. Formed integral. with the tapered edges of Wall 100 are side walls? 102 and 104. Extending inwardly from the outer edgesof side walls 102 and 104 are retaining walls 106 and 108, respectively. The inwardly facing edges of walls 106' and 108- are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of neck 82 on the studs 66. The distance between the inner surface of walls 106-108 and the adjacent surface of wall: 100 is greater than the longitudinal extent of stud head 84 whereby to receive head 84 therein. The dimensions of connector body 9-2 are so chosenv that connector head 96 will fit in a. socket 64 on display frame 30 and the' connector socket can receive the stud head 84 on display frame 32;

The end display frames 28' and- 30 are assembled with the longitudinal display frame 32 as follows. The end display frames 28 and 30 are firstmounted upon the counters 2G- and 24, respectively, byinserting pins 46 in apertures such as apertures 52.v Display frame 28 is positioned with the socket 64 extending inwardly toward the center of counter 20 and display frame 30 is positioned. so that the sockets ,64 thereon will extend toward counter 20. Display frame 32 is.- then moved into approximate position and the topmost stud and the fourth stud from the top onframe member 54 are slipped into the socket 64 on transverse frame members 42 and 44, respectively. Downward pressure uponframe member 54-will serve firmly to fit stud heads 84 within the corresponding sockets 64. A connector 90 is then applied to interconnect frame member 56 and frame member 42 on display frame 30. More specifically, connector 90 is positioned so that the wider dimension of the socketthereon is positioned downwardly and the socket is forced downwardly to receive therein the stud 66' spacedthird from the bottom on frame member 56. Simultaneouslythe connector head 96 will be moved into the socket. 64 onframe member 42 of display frame 30. A second connector 90 isthen applied in-alike manner to interconnect the bottommost stud 66 on frame member 56 and the socketpositioned. on frame member 45.

-Because of the substantial. longitudinal extent of display. frame32, means is provided intermediate the ends thereof. to give added support. To this end an adjustable. foot 110. is provided in. alignment with frame mem-- ber 62. Preferably foot 110 is adjustable with respect to. display frame 32. to give good support therefor.

Means is provided tomountdisplay devices such as panels 34. upon the various display frames. To this end the vertical frame members are rovided with aseriesof aligned elongated slots 112.. Preferably both sides of each frame member lying. in. the general plane of the display frames is provided with. aseries of slots 112. The slots 112 are equally spaced and of uniform length.

In addition, the slots 112 on each display frame are in ing:provided with hooks (not shown-) engageablein slots 6 1 12 to mount panels 34 and 36 upon the display frames. Instead of being disposed horizontally as illustrated, panels 34 and 36 can. be inclined with respect to the horizontal or may be disposed vertically to provide a support wall.

Referring to Figures 2' and 3 of the drawings, there is shown a relatively complicated merchandising display incorporating display frames and display equipment made in accordance with the invention. One of the primary advantages of the display equipment of the present invention is to provide uniform overall height although the basic counters associated with the display equipment may be of varying heights. There is best illustrated in Figure 2 the use of four counters 1 20-, 122, 124 and 126, all of diiferent heights. Counter for example may have a height of twenty inches, counter 122 ten inches, counter 124 twenty-eight inches and counter 126=six inches. Each of counters 120, 122 and 124 has been illustrated as being square andof equal floor area. Counter 126 has been illustrated as having a' length equal to the length of the other counters but a width only approximately half that of the remaining counters.

Mounted upon counter 120 is an end display frame 128 which is substantially shorter than the display frames 28- and 30 described: above but of the same general con struction'. A longitudinal display frame 130' is connected to display frame 128 and extends the length of counter 29 along substantially the center thereof. A pair of end frames 132 and 134- is provided on counter 122, display frames 132 and 134 being substantially identical to dis play frame 28. A longitudinal display frame 136' interconnects the: end display frames 1:32 and 134. Display frame 136 is substantially like display frames 32 and 130- but has a vertical extent substantially greater whereby to place the top frame member thereof in general horizontal alignment with the top frame member of display frame 130. Socket and stud connections identical with that illustrated in Figures 4- and 5 and discussed above are made between display frames 128 and 130 and between display frames 132 and 136 and between display frames 134 and 136.

In addition a connection is made between the aligned longitudinal display frames 130 and 136 to add rigidity. To this end a connector 140' is provided. Connector'14t) includes a connector body 142 which is preferably square in cross section and may be formed of the same square cross section hollow tubing from which the various frame members are formed. There is mounted on each end of connector body 142 asocket. More specifically, two sockets 144 and 146 are provided. Sockets 144 and 146 are identical with socket' 64 described above. The sockets are" arranged so that the Wider end of one is disposed upwardly and the' n'arrowere'nd of the other one is dis posed upwardly, iiez, the sockets are arranged 180 out of alignment with respect to each other. Connector 140' is assembled on frame member 1 36" with the connector 146 positioned to have the narrower e'nd disposed upwardly. The stud 66 on display frame 130'i's then moved downwardly into socket 144' which is positioned with thewider end disposed upwardly. By this interconnection the display frame 130" is supported at least in part by display frame 136'.

Mounted uponcounter 1 24 isa longitudinal display frame 148- substantiallyidentical in construction with display frame'32 described above. The left hand end of display frame 148 as viewed in Figure 2 is connected to display frame'136 by means of a connector 140. The right hand end of display frame 148' is connected to and supported by a transverse display frame 150 positioned upon counter 126; Also mounted oncount'er' 126 aret'wo short longitudinal display frames 1'52 and 154 ha'ving a construction generally like that of display frames 28 and 30 described above; Display frames 152' and 154 are each connected to' display frame 150" by means of stud and socket connections of the type illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

Yet another form of connection is provided between the 'end of display frame 148 and the transverse display frame 150. The right hand end of display frame 148 is provided with studs 66. The frame member of display frame 150 adjacent display frame 148 is provided with slots 112. Accordingly, a connector is required which will interconnect a slotted frame member and a frame member having a stud 66 thereon. Such a connector is illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings and is generally designated by the numeral 160. Connector 166 includes a substantially flat plate-like body 162.. Mounted on one end of body 162 and disposed perpendicular thereto is a socket 64. Socket 64- is positioned with the wider end thereof disposed upwardly whereby to receive therein the stud 66 on display frame 148 whereby to interconnect display frame 148 and connector 168. Formed on the edge of plate 162 opposite that on which is mounted connector 66 is a pair of spaced apart hooks 164. Hooks 164 are directed downwardly, i.e., in a direction toward the narrower end of the attached socket 64 and are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance betwen two slots 112. Accordingly, hooks 164 are adapted to engage in slots 112 to be supported by the vertical frame member of display frame 150. Struck from plate 162 is a pair of oppositely disposed brace portions 166 and 168 which are positioned to engage the adjacent surface of a frame member of display frame 150 whereby to hold connector 160 in a position such that plate 162 is perpendicular thereto. It will be seen that connector 160 will readily interconnect display frames 14S and 150. As may be best seen in Figure 2 of the drawings preferably two connectors 160 are provided between display frames 148 and 150.

From the above description it can be seen that the various display frames can be readily mounted upon counters with a minimum of effort and using a minimum number of simple tools and in certain cases no tools at all. Once the apertures 52 have been drilled in the counters, no tools need be used thereafter to change the arrangement of the displays except perhaps a hammer or mallet or some similar striking instrument. Despite the simplicity of construction and assembly, the assembled display frames provide a rigid display structure. This results in part from the self bracing arrangement of the parts and also from the stud and socket connections between display frames. The special connectors 90, 140 and 160 also utilize these desirable stud and socket connections.

The resultant display structure is extremely flexible and is universal in the sense that various parts thereof can be arranged and adjusted in a great number of combinations and permutations. However, where desired, it is possible to arrange the display frames so that the upper edgesof all the frames are in alignment as is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. Because of the hook and slot connection that can be made between display devices and the display frames, substantially all of the volume enclosed by the tops of the various counters and the tops of the display frames can be utilized for display purposes. A substantially increased display efiiciency is thereby achieved while simultaneously enhancing the effectiveness of display. This display structure also permits the use of counters already owned by retail stores whereby to render this additional economy in use.

It will be seen that there has been provided a display structure including display frames and connectors which will fulfill all of the objects and advantages set forth above. Althoughcertain preferred examples of the invention have been shown in the drawings and described for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in thefollowing claims.

We claim:

1. A merchandising device for use on a pair of juxtaposed counters of different heights, comprising a pair of upstanding end display frames, means to mount one of said end display frames upon one counter and means to mount the other of said end display frames on the other counter at a point spaced from said one end display frame, an upstanding longitudinal display frame disposed substantially perpendicular to said end display frames, and connectors interconnecting said longitudinal display frame and each of said end display frames, the vertical position of said longitudinal display frame relative to said end display frames being adjustable.

2. A merchandising device for use on a pair of juxtaposed counters of different heights, comprising a pair of upstanding end display frames, means to mount the first of said end display frames upon the first counter on the end thereof disposed away from the second counter, means to mount the second end display frame upon the second counter at the end thereof adjacent to the first counter, an upstandiing longitudinal display frame disposed substantially perpendicular to said end display frames, and connectors interconnecting said 1011- gitudinal display frame and each of said end display frames to support said longitudinal display frame above the first counter, the vertical position of said longitudinal display frame relative to said end display frames being adjustable.

3. A merchandising device for use on a pair of juxtaposed counters of different heights, comprising a first and a second upstanding end display frame, means detachably to mount said first end display frame upon the first counter at the end thereof opposite the second counter, means detachably to mount said second end display frame on the second counter at the end thereof adjacent to the first counter and parallel to said first end frame, an upstanding longitudinal display frame disposed substantially perpendicular to said'end display frames, connectors interconnecting said longitudinal display frame and each of said end display frames to support said longitudinal display frame above the first counter, the vertical position of said longitudinal display frame above the first counter being adjustable, and means formed on said display frames to mount display devices thereon.

4. A merchandising device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the means to mount the end display frames upon the associated counters includes pins mounted on and extending downwardly from said end display frames and adapted to be received in complementarily shaped apertures formed in the associated counters.

5. A merchandising device comprising a counter, a first upstanding display frame mounted on said counter, a second upstanding display frame supported by said first display frame above said counter, and a connector interconnecting said display frames and including a wedge shaped socket mounted on one of said display frames and a cylindrical stud head mounted on the other of said display frames and engageable in said socket.

6. A merchandising device comprising a counter, a first upstanding display frame mounted upon said counter and extending upwardly therefrom, a second upstanding display frame mounted on and supported by said first display frame above said counter, a wedge shaped socket mounted on said first display frame and having the wider end thereof disposed upwardly,'and a stud mounted on said second display frame and having a cylindrical head engageable in said socket to support said second display frame upon said first display frame above said counter.

7. A merchandising device comprising a counter, a first 9 extending upwardly therefrom, a second upstanding dis: play frame mounted on. and supported by said first display frame above said counter, a socket mounted on said first frame member and including a pair of confronting spaced apart flanges having the facing edges thereof disposed at an acute angle. to each. other, and a plurality of studs: mounted on said second display frame, each of said studs having a groove formed therein and extending therearound', the opposite walls of said groove being dis posed at an acute angle with respect to each other, said groove providing. a. neck and a head, said flanges having awidth greater than the length of said neck whereby said flanges: are adapted to be wedged in said groove between the. converging walls thereof while maintaining the periphery and outer end of said head out of contact with said socket thereby positively to prevent scarring of the periphery and the outer end of said head whereby heads not engaged in a socket present a pleasing appearance.

8. A merchandising device comprising a counter, a first upstanding display frame mounted uponsaid counter and extending upwardly therefrom, a. second upstanding display frame mounted on and supported by said first display frame above said counter, a Wedge shapedsocket ineluding an attachment member mounted upon said first display frame, a pair of inwardly directed spaced apart flangesmounted onsaid attachment member and disposed outwardly therefrom and substantially parallel thereto, the confronting edges of said flanges being inclined upwardly and outwardly away from each. other, a stud having a second attachment member mounted on said second display frame and including a neck extending outwardly therefrom a distance less than the width of said flanges, a headformed on the outer end of said neck and being joined to said neck by an outwardly directed frusto-conical surface, the diameter of a portion of said frusto-conical surface being greater than the distancebetween said flanges at one point therealong whereby towedge said flanges between said frusto-conical surface and said second attachment member while maintaining the periphery and the free end of said head out of contact with said socket. I l

9; A display frame comprising a pair of parallel vertical frame members, a pair of transverse frame members interconnecting said vertical frame members at spaced apart points, each of said vertical frame members having at least one row of vertically aligned and horizontally aligned openings in the front and. rear faces thereof, and a \I shaped socket mounted on each of said transverse frame members intermediate the ends thereof, said sockets being. disposed in alignment along a line: parallel to the axis of said vertical frame members, and means formed on one end of said vertical frame members to mount said frame members upon an associated counter.

10. A display frame as set forth in claim 9, wherein the frame members are square in cross section and the means to mount the vertical frame members on a counter include a pin mounted within each vertical frame member and extending outwardly therefrom.

11. A longitudinal display frame comprising a pair of parallel disposed transverse frame members, a pair of vertical frame members interconnecting said transverse frame members at the ends thereof, said vertical frame members each having at least one row of vertically and horizontally aligned openings in the front and rear faces thereof, and a plurality of stud connectors mounted on said vertical frame members and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction parallel to the axis of said transverse frame members.

12. A display frame as set forth in claim 11, wherein the frame members are square in cross section and an adjustable support foot is mounted on one of said transverse frame members intermediate the ends thereof and adapted to be disposed upon the top of an associated counter.

1-3. A merchandising deyice for. rise-m1 apair of instaposed counters of" different heights, comprising a: first upstanding end displ-aymember mounted on. the, first counter at the end. thereof. opposite the second counter, a. second upstanding end. display frame mounted on the second counter at. the end thereof adjacent to; the first counter, a first upstanding, longitudinal 'displ-ayframe supported by said first end display frame above the first counter, a. second upstanding, longitudinal display frame mounted onsaid second. end display frame above the second counter, the upper edges of said longitudinal display frames being in horizontal alignment, and a COD? necting meansinterconnecting said longitudinal display frames to support said first longitudinal display frame upon said second longitudinal display frame.

14. A merchandising device as. set forth in claim- 13, wherein the connecting means comprises a first stud mounted on the end of said first longitudinal: display frame disposed toward said second longitudinal display frame, a second stud mounted on the end of said second longitudinal display frame disposed toward said first longitudinaldisplay frame, and a connector having a wedge shaped socket formed oneach end thereof and extending in. opposite directions therefrom, one of said sockets having thewider end thereof disposed upwardly and engaging said first stud therein and the other of said sockets having, the wider end thereof disposed downwardly and engaging, said second stud therein to support said first longitudinal display frame upon said second longitudinal display frame. 7 q

15;. In a merchandising display mounted upon a pair of counters. of different heights, the combination comprising a first upstanding, display frame mounted upon the first counter, a second upstanding; display frame mounted on the second counter in alignment with said first display frame, the end of said first display frame disposed. away from said second display frame being supported by the; first, counter, the end of the second display frame disposed toward the first display frame being supported upon the second counter, a first stud mounted upon the end: of. said first display frame disposed toward said second display frame and including: a; neck and ahead on the end thereof supported by said neck, a-. second stud. mounted on said second. display frame:- orr the end thereof adjacent tosaid first display frame and: spaced from: said first stud and in. general horizontal; alignment therewith, and? a connector interconnecting. said studs, said.- connector having a. first. socket; formed: on: one end thereof, including a: pair of: spaced apart inwardly directed. flanges adapted to receive neck. of thefirst studi thertebetween the: confronting edges", of said flangesdiverging upwardly whereby to support the adjacent end of said first display frame, a second socket formed on the other end of said connector and including a pair of spaced apart flanges adapted to engage in the neck of said second stud, the opposed faces of said second flanges diverging downwardly whereby to support said socket and said connector upon said second stud.

16. A connector for use in interconnecting a pair of display frames having studs formed thereon including necks and outstanding heads, comprising a body, a first socket mounted on one end of said body andincluding an attachment member, a pair of flanges mounted on said attachment member and spaced outwardly therefrom and lying in substantially the same plane to receive a stud head, the confronting edges of said flanges being disposed at an acute angle, a second socket mounted on the other end of said body and including a second attachment member having a second pair of flanges spaced therefrom and disposed substantially parallel thereto to receive a stud head, the confronting edges of said second flanges being disposed at an acute angle with respect to each other, the confronting edges of said first flanges diverging in a direction opposite to that of said second flanges.

17. In 'a merchandising device for use on adjacent counters of different heights, the combination comprising a first display frame mounted upon one of the counters and extending to the edge thereof disposed adjacent to the other counter, a second display frame mounted on the second counter on the edge thereof adjacent to the first counter and disposed substantially perpendicular to said first display frame, a stud mounted on said first display frame at the end thereof adjacent to said second display frame, said second display frame having at least one row of vertically aligned openings formed on the side thereof adjacent to said first frame member, and a connector engaging said stud and engaging in said openings to interconnect said display members.

18. In a merchandising device for use on adjacent counters of dilferent heights, the combination comprising a first display frame mounted upon one of the counters and extending to the edge thereof disposed adjacent the other counter, a second display frame mounted on the second counter on the edge thereof adjacent the first counter and disposed substantially perpendicular to said first display frame, a stud mounted on said first display frame at the end thereof adjacent to said second display frame, said second display frame having at least one row of vertically aligned openings formed on the side thereof adjacent said first frame member, and a connector including a socket formed on one end thereof to engage said stud and a hook formed on the other end thereof to engage in said openings to interconnect said display frames.

19. A connector for interconnecting a display frame having a headed stud mounted thereon and a display frame provided with aligned openings therein, comprising a body, a socket formed on one end of said body, said socket including an attachment member and a pair of spaced apart flanges mounted thereon and spaced therefrom, the adjacent edges of said flanges being spaced apart to receive a headed stud therein in a wedging manner, and a pair of hooks formed on the other end of said body and adapted to engage in the openings of an associated display frame.

20. A connector for interconnecting a display frame having a headed stud mounted thereon and a display frame provided with aligned openings therein, comprising a body, a socket formed on one end of said body, said socket including an attachment member and a pair of spaced apart flanges mounted thereon and spaced therefrom, the adjacent edges of said flanges being spaced apart to receive a headed stud therein in a wedging manner, a pair of hooks formed on the other end of said body and adapted to engage in the openings of an associated display frame, and a pair of brace members formedo said body and adapted to engage a display frame engaged by said body in a fixed position with respect to the as, sociated display frame.

21. In a merchandising display device including two display frames, a connector comprising a socket formed on one display frame and including a pair of confronting spaced apart flanges having the facing edges thereof disposed at an acuate angle to each other, and a stud mounted on the other display frame and having a groove formed therein and extending therearound, the opposite walls of said groove being disposed at an acute angle with respect to each other, said groove providing a neck and a head, said flanges having a width greater than the length of said neck whereby said flanges are adapted to be wedged in said grooves between the converging Walls thereof while maintaining the periphery and outer end of said i3d out of contact with said socket.

22. In a merchandising display device including two display frames, a connector comprising a wedge shaped socket including an attachment member mounted upon one display frame, a pair of inwardly directed spaced apart flanges mounted on said attachment member and disposed outwardly therefrom and substantially parallel thereto, the confronting edges of said flanges being inclined upwardly and outwardly away from each other, a stud having a second attachment member mounted on the other display'frame and including a neck extending outwardly therefrom a distance less than the width of said flanges, a cylindrical head formed on the outer end of said neck and being joined to said neck by an outwardly directed frusto-conical surface, the diameter of a portion of said frusto-conical surface being greater than the distance between said flanges at one point therealong whereby to wedge said flanges between said frusto-conical surface and said second attachment member while maintaining the periphery and the free end of said head out of contact with said socket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS 1,596,296 Oberdorfer Aug. 17, 1926 1,787,734 Rowling Jan. 6, 1931 1,894,146 Baker Jan. 10, 1933 1,931,118 Rowland Oct. 17, 1933 2,302,406 Von Palmenberg Nov. 17, 1942 2,460,712 Peterson Feb. 1, 1949 2,589,947 Magnuson Mar. 18, 1952 2,604,213 Bales July 22, 1952 2,642,249 Samules June 16, 1953 2,787,382 Williams Apr. 2, 1957 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 2,910,187 October 27, 1959 Edward M. Levy et 211 It is hereby certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 12, line 8, for "acuate" read acute Signed and sealed this 5th day of April 1960.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

